Where to see fall foliage this season
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
Long Island’s many arboretums and botanic gardens are the perfect place to see some gorgeous fall foliage, including Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. With more than 400 acres of gardens, trails and historic buildings—including a stunning Tudor-style mansion—the state park burns brightly with autumn colors. Take a stroll or take in a concert this season.
LIU Post Community Arboretum
720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
This college campus in Brookville, boasts more than 4,000 trees—125 of which are in the 40-acre community arboretum and some of which are rare trees—so there’s plenty to see in the fall. A 40-acre portion of the campus is designated as an arboretum, with each tree being labeled with information on the name and species, so you’ll know which lovely leaves you’re looking at as you walk along a self-guided, wheelchair-accessible trail around the main campus buildings. One of the landmarks along the trail is the breathtaking Tudor mansion that was once the home of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. The self-guided walking trail lasts anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. The arboretum is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk and is completely free of charge.
Sands Point Preserve Conservancy
127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
Open all year, Sands Point Preserve Conservancy in Port Washington features several Gold Coast mansions including Hempstead House and Falaise, both of which have guided tours. In addition, the more than 200-acre former estate has six marked trails that lead you through lush woods, fields, and to a beach on the Long Island Sound. Tress like red maples, Norway maples, oak trees and more will greet you along the way with vibrant hues.
Muttontown Preserve
Jericho Oyster Bay Rd., East Norwich
Comprising 550 acres of fields, woodlands, ponds and estate grounds, Muttontown is Nassau County’s largest nature preserve. The preserve offers self-guided tours of the estate, ponds, and various trees and birds. On your stroll, keep an eye out for Chelsea Mansion, located on the northern end of the Muttontown Preserve, which was built in 1924 for Benjamin Moore, the grandson of the poet Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
